For those who follow OMAi’s projects around the world, the combination of Particle Physics and projection art isn’t new. At Paseo festival 2018, this intriguing combination was expanded by playfully juxtaposing quantum physics with indigenous cosmology.

Everything started in 2014 when new media artist and educator Agnes Chavez invited OMAi’s Markus Dorninger to work together on a combined workshop/performance format for young people, in collaboration with the scientists of the Atlas Experiment at CERN. The idea was to use Tagtool to understand and communicate concepts from quantum physics through personal expression. The result was a resounding success, so Agnes invited Markus to repeat the partnership at the 12th Havana Biennial in Cuba (as can be seen in this video).

In September this year they met again at Paseo Festival, and this time they joined forces with Steve Tamayo, a Cultural Specialist from the Lakota tribe. This time the aim was to playfully juxtapose the scientific world of quantum physics with native American cosmology.

Steve built a teepee at Kit Carson park in the center of Taos, which became the perfect 360 degree canvas to bring his stories to life using Tagtool. During the two festival days the audience could witness captivating narratives weaved by Steve being visualized live as stunning projections by Markus.

For five hours each night, every fifteen minutes, twenty spectators were invited to come into the teepee to get a taste of Steve’s and Markus’ storytelling – “Good Medicine”.

Additional drawings were contributed by students of Taos Day School, Taos Integrated School of the Arts, Santa Fe Indian School and the Native American Community Academy. They were created in workshops preceding the festival.

We are looking forward to the next collaboration as part of the Projecting Particles Collective!